Do You Think What Is Yours, Is Really Yours?
Almost twenty years ago, Don and Susie Kirlin bought a vacant lot in scenic Boulder, Colorado and left it undeveloped and unvisited. It would a great spot to retire to. Or so this couple thought when they returned to their land (now worth about $3 million) two years ago. During the Kirlin’s absence, their adjoining neighbors, former Judge Richard McLean and his wife, attorney Edith Stevens, had constructed a path and a garden on property that clearly wasn’t theirs. McLean and Stevens said that they thought the Kirlins wouldn’t mind. Wouldn’t mind?! Naturally, the Kirlins took their neighbors to court to evicted these wealth squatters. The court’s decision? Don and Susie have to GIVE up a third of their lot (worth about $1 million) to McLean and Stevens under a legal term known as “adverse possession.” This wonderful work of legal thievery states that you can gain possession of a property after using it without challenge by the owner. It helps tremendously if the owner is away and doesn’t know that you’re helping yourself to their possessions. I imagine that this was a tough decision for the presiding judge: to side with a former member of the bar under ‘adverse possession” or to side with the moralistic ideal of “thou shalt not steal.”
It looks like terrorists don’t have to be in another country, robbing our brave boys and girls of their life and limb. Apparently, terrorists can live here and pillage all they want under the guise of being a ‘judge’ and ‘lawyer’. If you live in Boulder and you happen by the home of McLean and Stevens, would you lobe a rotten egg at their house for me? Thanks.
Popularity: 14% [?]
Almost twenty years ago, Don and Susie Kirlin bought a vacant lot in scenic Boulder, Colorado and left it undeveloped and unvisited. It would a great spot to retire to. Or so this couple thought when they returned to their land (now worth about $3 million) two years ago. During the Kirlin’s absence, their adjoining neighbors, former Judge Richard McLean and his wife, attorney Edith Stevens, had constructed a path and a garden on property that clearly wasn’t theirs. McLean and Stevens said that they thought the Kirlins wouldn’t mind. Wouldn’t mind?! Naturally, the Kirlins took their neighbors to court to evicted these wealth squatters. The court’s decision? Don and Susie have to GIVE up a third of their lot (worth about $1 million) to McLean and Stevens under a legal term known as “adverse possession.” This wonderful work of legal thievery states that you can gain possession of a property after using it without challenge by the owner. It helps tremendously if the owner is away and doesn’t know that you’re helping yourself to their possessions. I imagine that this was a tough decision for the presiding judge: to side with a former member of the bar under ‘adverse possession” or to side with the moralistic ideal of “thou shalt not steal.”
It looks like terrorists don’t have to be in another country, robbing our brave boys and girls of their life and limb. Apparently, terrorists can live here and pillage all they want under the guise of being a ‘judge’ and ‘lawyer’. If you live in Boulder and you happen by the home of McLean and Stevens, would you lobe a rotten egg at their house for me? Thanks.
Popularity: 14% [?]
Written by sprezzaturon in: Uncategorized |7 Comments »
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This is an outrage! It’s this sort of thing that gives lawyers and judges such bad reputations.
It’s weird, here in California there are all kinds of different interpretations of “squatter’s rights,” but this really takes the cake. Remind me never to take an extended vacation . . .
Wow – I can’t believe that – it is interesting how the law works sometimes.
The law sure can be mysterious when it comes to real estate
Hi Venice! It is extremely maddening to read about lives being lost in the name of rights and freedom in other countries and then learn about outrageous destructions of rights right here in our country.
Hi Treasure! It’s stories like these that remind me how the law and justice aren’t necessarily linked.
To my readers: Does anyone think that I should not report on findings like this? Would your life be better for not knowing about injustices?
I have a Hypothetical question about the Boulder land grab.
If Don and Susie Kirlin had sold their land would Richard McLean and Edith Stevens have been able to take the land from the new owners because Richard McLean and Edith Stevens had been using part of the land for more than 18 years?
Thanks
Hello Jim! What an excellent question! If the Kirlins had been able to sell their land without McLean and Steven knowing, would that would start the squatter clock? I don’t know. After watching interviews with McLean and Steven, and learning more of their contemptible disregard for property rights, I don’t think it would have made a difference.
That’s why cops have locks on their lockers when lawyers and judges use the same building.